Re: Cut vs Button...what's your fav 6mm, 6.5, & 7m
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Skunkworks</div><div class="ubbcode-body">A lot of good points here, but I have to lean a little in Mike's direction. I wouldn't go so far as to say that button barrels suck, as I've used a lot of great shooting button barrels (namely Broughton), but I've also had more issues with button over cut. I'll say now that there are a lot of button barrel makers that I haven't tried, so my comments shouldn't be taken across the board.
When it comes to the twist rate, the button process is less precise. It's not so bad when you have a little gain in twist toward the muzzle (and some shooters prefer this and have barrels made with gain twist on purpose), but a negative twist change toward the muzzle is not good. I've seen negative twist changes in button barrels, but not cut. The twist rate is made into the button and as the button is pulled through the barrel, changes in the steel can slow down or speed up the pull, thereby changing the twist rate.
Bore diameters are also less consistent with some button barrels and bores are more prone to opening when a button barrel is turned and threaded (such as muzzle brakes, etc) and/or fluted. I do have to say that I've not had issues fluting a Broughton barrel though. When I've fluted other button barrels and pushed a patch through afterwards, you could feel a difference as the patch rotated through the rifling. Definite loose spots....
I was a staunch Krieger user for the longest time before going to Broughton (as there were advantages in delivery time), but as of a few months ago, all of my barrels now come from Bartlein and Rock with an occasional Krieger. Much more consistancy across the board....Not saying that Cut is better, but different enough (to the good) for me to stick with Cut. I gave the button barrels a good go, but I've always been a cut guy at heart. </div></div>
Oh now ya tell me...